The Negative Effects of Handheld Cameras

With cameras being built into virtually every cellphone and media device released to market, handheld cameras are becoming increasingly ubiquitous. This means more moments of significance are caught on film, but increasing handheld camera use is not entirely beneficial. The arguments for negative effects of handheld cameras broadly fall under a few headings.

Image Quality Issues

An argument can be made that, while an increase in handheld camera usage does mean an increase in photography, it is at the cost of quality. Handheld cameras are typically not as sophisticated, and do not possess as sensitive equipment as more expensive, bulkier models. This produces an interesting situation wherein individual media consumers are exposed to more low-quality imagery than in times past. As more and more historical events are documented first by individuals with handheld cameras, this trend in reducing quality will continue. It remains to be seen if handheld cameras will improve at a similar rate.

Stabilization Shortcomings

Handheld cameras have come a long way in recent years; one key addition has been complex stabilization software and hardware. Gyroscopes and complex algorithms attempt to correct for the blur due to natural hand motion inherent in handheld camera usage. While improvements are being made in still photography, hand motion in video remains difficult to correct for.

Compulsive Photography

The ubiquity of handheld cameras has led to compulsive photography for some. Consider the fact that every great moment caught in a camera is a moment the photographer only experienced through a viewfinder. One can argue that compulsive photography is leading to more individuals feeling as though they must continually snap pictures of everything, and spend very little time enjoying the subjects of their photography.

Privacy

Privacy concerns abound when it comes to the subject of handheld cameras. Many people feel as though placing a camera in every cellphone means a drastic decrease in privacy for everyone. There is rarely a moment in the day where anyone is more than a few hand swipes away from photographing or capturing video of those around them. This can lead to handheld cameras being used for less than savory purposes.